Social Work, Social Justice, and Social Welfare Policy: A Human Rights Agenda

1. Social Work, Social Justice, and Social Welfare Policy: A Human Rights Agenda  Shawn Cassiman School of Social Work University of Wisconsin-Madison Since the theme for this social justice conference is empowerment through shared stories, I would like to share the story of the development of social welfare policy in the US in comparison to other advanced industrial or post-industrial nations. A comparative context allows us to critically examine the impact of the welfare state as well as the potential for advocating for progressive social welfare policy using a human rights framework.Since the theme for this social justice conference is empowerment through shared stories, I would like to share the story of the development of social welfare policy in the US in comparison to other advanced industrial or post-industrial nations. A comparative context allows us to critically examine the impact of the welfare state as well as the potential for advocating for progressive social welfare policy using a human rights framework.

2. The History of Social Welfare In the United States-Exceptional? Laggard Leader Or� The welfare state in the US is often described as exceptional, though scholars often disagree about what exactly is exceptional about it.The welfare state in the US is often described as exceptional, though scholars often disagree about what exactly is exceptional about it.

3. Laggard The standard view of the United States Welfare State, is that it is slow to evolve and will eventually �catch up� or converge to the European models that are stronger and offer more comprehensive protections from market vagaries common in Capitalist regimes (Smeeding, 2004; Helco, 1995). Until relatively recently, the story told about the development of the welfare state was that it was a bit late into evolving along the lines of its contemporaries in Europe.Until relatively recently, the story told about the development of the welfare state was that it was a bit late into evolving along the lines of its contemporaries in Europe.

4. Leader Other scholars (Skocpol,1995) argue that the United States in advancing veteran�s and mother�s pensions was actually an early welfare state. Some scholars argue that it was in fact and early welfare state, offering benefits to widowed mothers and veterans much earlier than other welfare states.Some scholars argue that it was in fact and early welfare state, offering benefits to widowed mothers and veterans much earlier than other welfare states.

5. Private Pensions Hacker (2002) describes social welfare in the United States as skewed strongly in the direction of private pensions supported by public tax dollars. Private pensions in fact make up the bulk of the social safety net, but employers are increasingly withdrawing such support.Private pensions in fact make up the bulk of the social safety net, but employers are increasingly withdrawing such support.

6. Contingent Welfare State Group Identification: Welfare claims based upon group membership. Deserving Undeserving Most scholars agree that the US welfare state developed along contingent models in which benefits were provided based upon�Most scholars agree that the US welfare state developed along contingent models in which benefits were provided based upon�

7. Our Truly Exceptional Nature : Only industrialized nation without universal healthcare. Almost 45 million (including many children) lack insurance coverage. Highest infant mortality rate among industrialized nations. Growing number of homeless and hungry. Huge prison population However, I believe that the truly exceptional nature of the welfare state is its limits.However, I believe that the truly exceptional nature of the welfare state is its limits.

8. Myths of the �Other� Poverty is an individual problem The culture of poverty The welfare queen Economic mobility Myths about the poverty experience abound, such asMyths about the poverty experience abound, such as

9. Populations at risk of poverty: Research by Rank (2004) indicates that the majority (approx. 60%) of all Americans between the ages of 18-64 will have need to access �means-tested� welfare benefits over the life course. This is particularly troubling when considering that the measurement for determining poverty, the poverty line or threshold, is considered by many poverty researchers to be much too low to adequately measure risk associated with income. And this is in the wealthiest nation, the poverty levels among �developing� nations is devastatingly high.This is particularly troubling when considering that the measurement for determining poverty, the poverty line or threshold, is considered by many poverty researchers to be much too low to adequately measure risk associated with income. And this is in the wealthiest nation, the poverty levels among �developing� nations is devastatingly high.

10. The Oppressive Nature of Poverty ��the �class-oppressed�--the socioeconomically poor-are the infrastructural expression of the process of oppression�. Leonardo Boff and Clodovis Boff, Introducing Liberation Theology

11. Revisiting Convergence or the global �race to the bottom� Recent international evidence suggests that rather than the U.S. converging toward a European style of welfare state provision, with child allowances, etc., the opposite may in fact be the case, driven by the U.S. and the globalization discourse (Schram, 2004).

12. Globalization as Justification The retreat from the welfare state is rationalized by the pressures of globalization, which include: Increasingly mobile capital Increased �mobility� of labor Decreased autonomy of the nation state

13. Globalization as Opportunity For organizing across interest groups For advancing a human rights agenda For fostering understanding of commonalities among peoples For setting �limits of toleration� For strengthening international governance Think of the protests of the policies of the WTO and NAFTA as instances of international mobilization. Enables the articulation of national government in support of international standards. Pressuring national governments to sign articles that are inclusive of economic and social rights. Think of the protests of the policies of the WTO and NAFTA as instances of international mobilization. Enables the articulation of national government in support of international standards. Pressuring national governments to sign articles that are inclusive of economic and social rights.

14. The Potential of a Human Rights Perspective in Social Welfare Useful not only in relation to International social work, but domestic As a framework for examining social welfare policy In organizing previously fragmented needs claims, or demands for social justice, based on group membership Recognition of the multiple interdependencies among peoples and places A human rights framework allows us to settle arguments of what Nancy Fraser describes as that between Global environmental considerationsA human rights framework allows us to settle arguments of what Nancy Fraser describes as that between Global environmental considerations

15. Social Work and Human Rights, an Agenda Following recommendations of the Council on Social Work Education, provide social workers with an opportunity to gain a working knowledge of human rights Human rights as an alternative framework to the current social policy making models of rational and political How would the policy process look if organized in a human rights framework? How would the policy process look if organized in a human rights framework?

16. A Call to Action In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights we already have a framework that recognizes and supports basic economic human rights, such as education, health care, the right to organize, and safe housing. What can we do? The state of social welfare policy in the US is discouraging. However,within the Declaration of Human Rights we find reason to be hopeful.The state of social welfare policy in the US is discouraging. However,within the Declaration of Human Rights we find reason to be hopeful.

17. Plan of Action Join Human Rights organizations such as Amnesty International Organize grassroots efforts within a human rights framework Put pressure on our senators and congressional representatives to ratify articles within the declaration supportive of economic human rights (Articles 21-26). Incorporate human rights into professional organizations Share the story of Human Rights To order to advance a human rights perspective nationally and internationally, we have many choices for action. By sharing the story of human rights we share the story of human potential. To order to advance a human rights perspective nationally and internationally, we have many choices for action. By sharing the story of human rights we share the story of human potential.

18. ��the poverty of the poor is not a call to a generous relief action, but a demand that we go and build a different social order�. Gustavo Gutierrez, The Power of the Poor in History.